Sewing steamer

ABSTRACT

A light weight portable hand manipulatable pressing/steaming device having a reservoir formed therein to be at least partially filled with an electrolytic solution. The steaming device includes a steam generator, passageway means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefrom and conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communication with the exit of the passageway means so that steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate. The generator includes a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and at least partially submerged within the electrolytic solution to support a flow of current between the electrodes when said device is operated in either the vertical or the horizontal position. Each of the electrodes includes a first and second portion, wherein each portion of each electrode has a substantially flat surface which is so positioned within the reservoir that as the level of the solution recedes below the flat surfaces, a meniscus is formed between the solution and the flat surface of the first portions if the device is being operated in the horizontal position and with the flat surface of the second portions if the device is being operated in the vertical position. The device has an opening in a top wall thereof and a cap detachably engaged therewith for sealing the opening. The cap has a depression formed therein for measuring the quantity of salt to be added to water when forming the electrolytic solution. A baffle is positioned within the device adjacent the opening for preventing the electrolytic solution from accidentally draining out of the opening when the device is being operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions.

Elite States atent [1 1 @srow [451 Aug. 28, 1973 [54] SEWING STEAMER {75] Inventor: Leonard Osrow, Great Neck, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Osrow Products Co., Inc., Glen Cove, N.Y.

22 Filed: Feb. 2, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 222,898

[52] US. Cl. 219/245, 38/775, 38/82,

219/254, 219/288 [51] Int. Cl. D06f 75/08 [58] Field of Search 219/245, 254, 258,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,148 11/1929 Brewer 219/254 X 2,847,549 8/1958 Schmitt et al 219/275 3,184,871 5/1965 DAlessandro 38/77.8

Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton Att0rney-Morris Kirschstein, Peter T. Cobrin et a1.

way means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefrom and conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communi cation with the exit of the passageway means so that steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate. The generator includes a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and at least partially submerged within the electrolytic solution to support a flow of current between the electrodes when said device is operated in either the vertical or the horizontal position. Each of the electrodes includes a first and second portion, wherein each portion of each electrode has a substantially flat surface which is so positioned within the reservoir that as the level of the solution recedes below the flat surfaces, a meniscus is formed between the solution and the flat surface of the first portions if the device is being operated in the horizontal position and with the flat surface ofthe second portions if the device is being operated in the vertical position. The device has an opening in a top wall thereof and a cap detachably engaged therewith for sealing the opening. The cap has a depression formed therein for measuring the quantity of salt to be added to water when forming the electrolytic solution. A baffle is positioned within the device adjacent the opening for preventing the electrolytic solution from accidentally draining out of the opening when the device is being operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PORTABLE HAND MANIPULATABLESTEAMING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application relates to my co-pending U.S. applications Ser. No. 86,215, filed on Nov. 2, 1970, and application Ser. No. 162,404, filed on July 14, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to hand steamers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Portable hand steamers often contain a pair of electrodes immersed in an electrolytic solution so that a current, which passes therebetween, will generate sufficient heat to transform the solution into the steam required for operating the steamer device. As steam continues to form, the surface level of the electrolytic solution contained within a reservoir of the steamer continues to decrease. When the level of the solution recedes beyond the bottom edge of the electrodes, the flow of current ceases. As the steamer is moved back and forth, the surface of the solution tends to form waves, so that the solution intermittently contacts and breaks contact with either of the electrodes. As contact is broken or about to be made with the electrodes, an arcing results between the electrodes and the solution. Under the circumstances described above, such arcing can occur quite frequently and can result in a noise which might be frightening to the user. Furthermore, such arcing can have a tendency to damage or wear-away portions of the electrodes, thereby requiring early replacement or maintenance of such parts.

Furthermore, the electrodes of the steamers de scribed above are so shaped and positioned within the reservoir of the device, that they are only immersed within the electrolytic solution when the steamer is operating in one of either the horizontal or vertical positions. Therefore, such a steamer can only be designed to operate in either the horizontal or vertical position but not inboth the horizontal and vertical positions.

SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION Purpose of the Invention It is an object of this invention to provide an improved pressurized steaming device which is not subject to the foregoing drawbacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved light weight portable pressing/steaming device which reduces arcing within the device when the electrolytic solution begins to recede below the bottommost portion of the electrodes contained therein.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved light weight portable pressing/steaming device which can be operated in both the horizontal and vertical positions.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide for an easy way to measure the quantity of salt to be added to water, the combination of which comprises the electrolytic solution.

It is an additional object of this invention to prevent electrolytic solution from spilling out of the device when the device is being operated in either of the horizontal and vertical positions,

Other objects of this invention will in part be apparent and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

' Brief Description of the Invention According to an'aspect of the invention there is provided a light weight portable hand manipulatable pressing/steaming device having a reservoir formed therein to be at least partially filled with an electrolytic solution. The steaming device includes a steam generator, passageway means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefrom and conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communication with the exit of the passageway means so that steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate. The generator includes a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and at least partially submerged within the electrolytic solution to support a flow of current between the electrodes when said device is operated in either the vertical of the horizontal position. Each of the electrodes includes a first and second portion, wherein each portion of each electrode has a substantially flat surface which is so positioned within the reservoir that as the level of the solution recedes below the flat surfaces, a meniscus is formed between the solution and the flat surface of the first portions if the device is being operated in the horizontal position and with the flat surface of the second portions if the device is being operated in the vertical position. The device has an opening in a top wall thereof and a cap detachably engaged therewith for sealing the opening. The cap has a depression formed therein for measuring the quantity of salt to be added to water when forming the electrolytic solution. A baffle is positioned within the device adjacent the opening for preventing the electrolytic solution from accidentally draining out of the opening when the device is being operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED- EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, reference numeral 10 denotes a pressing/steaming device constructed in accordance with and embodying the instant invention.

Basically the device includes a steam generator 12, a sole plate 14, and a passageway means 16 that conducts steam from generator 12 through sole plate 14. Sole 14 can have a slotted hole 18 therein, which hole is in communication with an exit 20 of passageway means 16, wherein steam created by generator 12 enters through a top opening 22 of passageway means 16 and passes therethrough until exiting near slotted hole 18 in sole l4.

Passageway means 16 in this example'can be made of a suitable tubular material such as any synthetic plastic which will not experience thermal 'deformationat the temperature of steam. Desirably, the thermal distortion temperature should be in excess of 250 F. Typical of the plastics which are usable in accordance with the in- I vention are polycarbonates, polyphenylene oxides, polysulfones, phenol formaldehydes, polyesters and silicones. The polyphenylene oxides have been found to be particularly useful in view of their low water absorbtion, their dimensional stability in the presence of water, their high dielectric constant and their chemical inertness, although similar qualities are generally true of the other synthetic plastics mentioned. The tubular shaped passageway means may be located in a plane perpendicular to the plane of sole 14 and the sides thereof may also be tapered towards sole plate 14. Sole plate 14 may have inwardly directed flanged portions 24 and 25 forming a parallel slot for receiving the exiting end of passageway means 16, wherein passageway means 16 may be force fit within the formed slot or fixed to flanged portions 24 and 25 with a plastic cement. Although sole plate 14 can be made of various materials, such as plastic and metal, and have various shapes, the sole plate shown in these drawings is made of synthetic plastic material having the shape and characteristics specifically described in related co-pending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 162,404 filed on July 14, l97l.

A cover 26 made of similar material as passageway means 16 can be attached to and permanently fixed to sole plate 14 using a suitable plastic cement and thus forms a reservoir 28 therein. Reservoir 28 can be at least partially filled with a suitable electrolytic solution 29, such as salt water. Steam generator 12 may include a pair of electrodes 30 and 32, which electrodes are at least partially submerged below the surface of electro lytic solution 29. The upper end of the electrodes are supported against the upper wall of cover 26 by conductive screws 40 and nuts 42. The screws and nuts may be electrically coupled through an on-off switch 44 in a handle 46 to a suitable source of electric energy by a conventional two-way electric wire as described in related co-pending application Ser. No. 162,404. Handle 46 can be made of similar type material as that of cover 26 and passageway means 16, and can be permanently attached to the rear side of cover 26 using a suitable plastic cement. lt should be noted that a portion 48 of the rear side of cover 26 provides the bottom portion of handle 46 with a double wall construction so that additional protection can be provided for the fingers of the operator of device 10.

Cover 26 has an opening 50 in the top so that reservoir 28 can be filled with the proper quantity of electrolytic solution and also so that the remaining electrolytic solution may be drained from reservoir 28 if desired. Opening 50 can be closed by a push in friction fitted cap 52. Alternatively cap 52 may be detachably screwed to a circular threaded flange 54 adjacent opening 50. The top of cap 52 may have a depression 56 formed therein, which depression can serve to provide a measure for salt which is to be added to water, the combination of which comprises the electrolytic solution. Although depression 56 is shown to be centrally located within the top surface of cap 52, it should be noted that such central location is merely arbitrary.

When a source of power is applied to electrodes 30 and 32, an electric current flows to that portion of each of the electrodes which are submerged within electro lytic solution 29. The flow of current through electrolytic solution 29 and submerged portions of electrodes 30 and 32 cause the solution to be heated to the point that steam is thereby created and the surface level of the solution gradually recedes. In order to overcome the problem of repeated arcing previously described when the surface of solution 29 begins to recede below the bottom portion of electrodes 30 and 32, each of electrodes 30 and 32 are provided with respective extending portions 58 and 59 having respective substantially flat bottom surfaces 60 and 61. Surfaces 60 and 61 are submerged and approximately the same distance below the surface of solution 29 and approximately parallel thereto when device 10 is operated in the horizontal position. Now when the surface of solution 29 begins to recede below respective flat surfaces 60 and 61 of electrodes 30 and 32, which surfaces are wetted, a meniscus column forms between surfaces 60 and 61 and the surface of solution 29 so that current continues to flow in an uninterrupted fashion. Finally,as the surface level of solution 29 recedes to such a point that the weight of the meniscus column exceeds the surface tension between the meniscus and surfaces 60 and 61, the meniscus column collapses, and current abruptly ceases to flow through the electrolytic solution and the respective electrodes so that repeated arcing is thus eliminated. In order to further reduce the possibility of arcing due to sloshing of the solution within the reservoir, when device 10 is being moved during operation, such sloshing is reduced bythe providing of baffle sections 62 and 64, which extend from sole plate 14 and into reservoir 28. Of course, flat surfaces 60 and 61 could be positioned vertically for devices which are to be operated in the vertical position.

Furthermore, to enable device 10 to be successfully operated in the vertical position, in addition to the horizontal position, electrodes 30 and 32 are provided with respective extending portions 66 and 67 having respective flat surfaces 68 and 69 adjacent the rear wall of cover 26. Surfaces 68 and 69 will be positioned horizontally when the steamer is operated in the vertical position. Just as surfaces 60 and 61 of respective electrodes 30 and 32 are submerged below the surface level of solution 29 when device 10 is operated in the horizontal position, likewise flat surfaces 68 and 69 of respective electrodes 30 and 32 are also submerged within and approximately parallel to the surface of solution 29 when device 10 is operated in the vertical position. Furthermore, it would be desired that flat surfaces 60 and 61 have the same areal approximate dimension and flat surfaces 68 and 69 also have the same approximate areal dimension so that approximately the same extent of electrode area is immersed within solution 29 regardless of whether device 10 is being operated in the horizontal or vertical position.

Furthermore, in order to prevent solution 29 from entering the area of cap 52 when device 10 is being operated either in the horizontal or vertical position, a baffle 70 of similar material to that of cover 26, is formed adjacent to opening 50 in cover 26. Baffle 70 has a rear wall 72, a bottom wall 74 and side walls 76, so as to prevent the solution from entering the cap area except when device 10 is rotated counter-clockwise.

It thus is seen that there is provided a portable hand manipulatable steaming device which achieves the several objects of the invention and is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now described the invention, there is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A light weight portable hand manipulatable steaming device operable in a horizontal and vertical position having a reservoir formed therein to be at least partially filled with an electrolytic solution, said device including a steam generator, passageway means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefrom and conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communication with the exit of the passageway means so that steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate, the generator comprising a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and when said electrodes are at least partially submerged within the electrolytic solution supporting a flow of current therebetween when said device is operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions, each of said electrodes including a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a substantially flat surface, the flat surface of each first portion being submerged below the surface of the electrolytic solution when said device is operated in the horizontal position for more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution in said reservoir, and the fiat surface of each second portion being immersed below the surface of the electrolytic solution for more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution in the reservoir when the device is operated in the vertical position.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flat surface of the respective first portions of each electrode are approximately the same areal dimension, and the flat surface of the respective second portions of each electrode are approximately the same areal dimension.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the flat surface of each portion of the respective electrodes is so positioned that as the level of the solution recedes below the flat surfaces, a meniscus is formed between the solution and the flat surface of the first portions if said device is being operated in the horizontal position, and between the solution and the flat surface of the second portions if the device is being operated in the vertical position.

4. A light weight portable hand manipulatable steaming device operable in a horizontal and vertical position having a reservoir formed therein to be at least partially filled with an electrolytic solution, said device including a steam generator, passageway means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefromand conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communication with the exit of the passageway means so the steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate, the generator comprising a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and when said electrodes are at least'partially submerged within the electrolytic solution supporting a flow of current therebetween when said device is operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions, a cover secured to said sole plate for forming the reservoir therein, said cover having an opening in the top wall thereof for filling the reservoir when said device is inverted, a detachable cap for sealing the opening in said cover, a baffle adjacent the opening in said cover, said baffle having a rear, left and right side and bottom wall for preventing the electrolytic solution from accidentally draining out of the opening when said device is being operated in either of the horizontal and vertical positions.

5. A light weight portable hand manipulatable steaming device comprising an insulated casing section having a rear wall and a hollow interior, said hollow interior defining a reservoir adapted to be filled with an electrolytic solution, a steam generator secured to said casing and disposed in said reservoir, a steam discharge exit, passageway means leading from said steam generator to said steam discharge exit, a sole plate, said sole plate being transverse to said rear wall, said steam discharge exit being located in said sole plate, said steam generator including a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode including a first elongated section and a second elongated section, said first and second sections being transverse to each other, said first section being adjacent said sole plate along its length, said second section being adjacent said rear wall along its length, said second electrode being identical to said first electrode with said first and second sections of each of said first and second electrodes being in transverse registry with each other, the first section of each of said first and second electrodes being submerged below the surface of the electrolytic solution when the device is operated with the sole plate horizontal and more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution in the reservoir, the second section of each of said first and second electrodes being submerged below the surface of the electrolytic solution when the device is operated with the sole plate vertical and more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution is in the reservoir whereby said device can be operated with the sole plate horizontal and vertical.

' I I8 i I 

1. A light weight portable hand manipulatable steaming device operable in a horizontal and vertical position having a reservoir formed therein to be at least partially filled with an electrolytic solution, said device including a steam generator, passageway means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefrom and conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communication with the exit of the passageway means so that steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate, the generator comprising a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and when said electrodes are at least partially submerged within the electrolytic solution supporting a flow of current therebetween when said device is operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions, each of said electrodes including a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a substantially flat surface, the flat surface of each first portion being submerged below the surface of the electrolytic solution when said device is operated in the horizontal position for more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution in said reservoir, and the flat surface of each second portion being immersed below the surface of the electrolytic solution for more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution in the reservoir when the device is operated in the vertical position.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flat surface of the respective first portions of each electrode are approximately the same areal dimension, and the flat surface of the respective second portions of each electrode are approximately the same areal dimension.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the flat surface of each portion of the respective electrodes is so positioned that as the level of the solution recedes below the flat surfaces, a meniscus is formed between the solution and the flat surface of the first portions if said device is being operated in the horizontal position, and between the solution and the flat surface of the second portions if the device is being operated in the vertical position.
 4. A light weight portable hand manipulatable steaming device operable in a horizontal and vertical position having a reservoir formed therein to be at least partially filled with an electrolytic solution, said device including a steam generator, passageway means leading from said generator for receiving steam therefrom and conducting it to an exit thereof, and a sole plate having an opening therein in communication with the exit of the passageway means so the steam created in the generator will issue through the sole plate, the generator comprising a pair of electrodes shaped and positioned within the reservoir and when said electrodes are at least partially submerged within the electrolytic solution supporting a flow of current therebetween when said device is operated in either of the vertical and horizontal positions, a cover secured to said sole plate for forming the reservoir therein, said cover having an opening in the top wall thereof for filling the reservoir when said device is inverted, a detachable cap for sealing the opening in said cover, a baffle adjacent the opening in said cover, said baffle having a rear, left and right side and bottom wall for preventing the electrolytic solution from accidentally draining out of the opening when said device is being operated in either of the horizontal and vertical positions.
 5. A light weight portable hand manipulatable steaming device comprising an insulated casing section having a rear wall and a hollow interior, said hollow interior defining a reservoir adapted to be filled with an electrolytic solution, a steam generator secured to said casing and disposed in said reservoir, a steam discharge exit, passageway means leading from said steaM generator to said steam discharge exit, a sole plate, said sole plate being transverse to said rear wall, said steam discharge exit being located in said sole plate, said steam generator including a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode including a first elongated section and a second elongated section, said first and second sections being transverse to each other, said first section being adjacent said sole plate along its length, said second section being adjacent said rear wall along its length, said second electrode being identical to said first electrode with said first and second sections of each of said first and second electrodes being in transverse registry with each other, the first section of each of said first and second electrodes being submerged below the surface of the electrolytic solution when the device is operated with the sole plate horizontal and more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution in the reservoir, the second section of each of said first and second electrodes being submerged below the surface of the electrolytic solution when the device is operated with the sole plate vertical and more than a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution is in the reservoir whereby said device can be operated with the sole plate horizontal and vertical. 